Player watch: Christian Eriksen

[TEESSIDE1]

I just had a quick look at PL set piece stats. Eriksen leads the pack with assists from indirect free kicks in the last two seasons, but we are down on corners compared to others. Maybe the quick flat delivery from corners needs to be looked at?

The most annoying thing about our inept corners is we have some lethal aerial threats and consistently fail to find them due to poor delivery.

 

[Bulletspur]

I think it's more that Eriksen statically doesn't beat the first man 2 every 3 corners he takes. It's not so much the goals scored or chances created, it's the fact 2 every 3 won't even make it near a dangerous white shirt.

Fine lines and all of that but as a spectator it's frustrating that this happens so frequently even if we know he's trying to just beat the first man to increase our chances of threat from them.

Why bother? You are so correct but not to others who think that Eriksen is the perfect and polished item. Even when he plays poor to them its some part of a cunning plan or pre game devised tactic. I realise now its not worth the explanation.

 

[BuckeyeSpurs11]

The guy is top 3 in the league in assists over the last 5 years, scores 10 goals + a year, is almost always near top for chances created and you hang onto the fact he doesn’t take good corners as to why he should leave or why we wouldn’t miss him if he did? Come on....be honest with yourselves

 

[Bulletspur]

Exactly haddock, something like 1% result in a goal. we don't watch Snodgrass take 100 though, we just see the one that goes in and therefore think he is amazing.

The flat low corner isn't taken because Eriksen can't take a corner that lands in a dangerous area it is because if you float a corner in to a dangerous area there is next to no chance of scoring from it, either the keeper or a defender cleans up. Taking them low and flat means a lot more look shit because its a difficult technique to be as accurate with but when they are good you cannot defend them. Same with direct free kicks. Obviously Eriksen could beat the wall and get almost every freekick he takes on target, in fact I could hit the target with most freekicks from inside 35 yards. Problem is I wouldn't score any as you don't get a point for just hitting the target, there is a 6ft 6 bastard waiting to spoil that. At least the fans would love me for not hitting the wall though!

Okay, if this was a strategy, thy then in the games where Lamela was also playing, he was the one chosen to take the corners and not Eriksen? Looking forward to your answer

 

[Bulletspur]

The guy is top 3 in the league in assists over the last 5 years, scores 10 goals + a year, is almost always near top for chances created and you hang onto the fact he doesn’t take good corners as to why he should leave or why we wouldn’t miss him if he did? Come on....be honest with yourselves

You come on, I am not desputing these facts, but my gripe is about his crap corner kicks, something which you honestly cannot defend. And for the record, most of us wanted want him to stay, he was the one who wanted leave.

 

[Sandros Shiny Head]

The guy is top 3 in the league in assists over the last 5 years, scores 10 goals + a year, is almost always near top for chances created and you hang onto the fact he doesn’t take good corners as to why he should leave or why we wouldn’t miss him if he did? Come on....be honest with yourselves

Nobody said that other than the ones who defend him

 

[Haddock]

Anyway, this corner discussion all boils down to one aspect and one person. If Pochettino was disatisfied with our corners, how they are setup and who is taking them I'm certain he'd adress that accordingly. That's sort of his job you know.

@Bulletspur Yeah I've noticed that Lamela often takes corners when he's on. I'm not certain it happens everytime but it has occured. If this down to tactics or maybe Lamela is just better at taking corners we'll never know. It's redundant anyway since Lamela and Eriksen rarely are on the pitch at the same time.

 

[Japhet]

The other frustrating aspect about Eriksen taking corners is that of all our players, he's the one I'd like to have lurking on the edge of the box waiting for a poor clearance.

 

[Bulletspur]

Anyway, this corner discussion all boils down to one aspect and one person. If Pochettino was disatisfied with our corners, how they are setup and who is taking them I'm certain he'd adress that accordingly. That's sort of his job you know.

@Bulletspur Yeah I've noticed that Lamela often takes corners when he's on. I'm not certain it happens everytime but it has occured. If this down to tactics or maybe Lamela is just better at taking corners we'll never know. It's redundant anyway since Lamela and Eriksen rarely are on the pitch at the same time.

@Haddock I know you are trying to mitigate the argument but to say that "Lamela and Eriksen playing on the pitch at the same time is rare" is wrong therefore misleading. And Lamela does take the most of the corners when he is playing. It also negates @Clive Wilson argument that Eriksen's low delivery is some part of a grand masterplan. A plan for Eriksen to deliver low, but Lamela to take them when he is playing, doesnt makes sense

 

[Lilbaz]

There must be an eriksen set piece collage or something?

 

[SpursMad]

The other frustrating aspect about Eriksen taking corners is that of all our players, he's the one I'd like to have lurking on the edge of the box waiting for a poor clearance.

Yeah, whether getting a shot or just by being clever and keeping the play alive in the box.

 

[ToDarrenIsToDo]

Exactly haddock, something like 1% result in a goal. we don't watch Snodgrass take 100 though, we just see the one that goes in and therefore think he is amazing.

The flat low corner isn't taken because Eriksen can't take a corner that lands in a dangerous area it is because if you float a corner in to a dangerous area there is next to no chance of scoring from it, either the keeper or a defender cleans up. Taking them low and flat means a lot more look shit because its a difficult technique to be as accurate with but when they are good you cannot defend them. Same with direct free kicks. Obviously Eriksen could beat the wall and get almost every freekick he takes on target, in fact I could hit the target with most freekicks from inside 35 yards. Problem is I wouldn't score any as you don't get a point for just hitting the target, there is a 6ft 6 bastard waiting to spoil that. At least the fans would love me for not hitting the wall though!

The low flat corner does have a greater chance of resulting in a goal, moreso than the floated one agreed but the floated one has more chance than 66% (2 every 3 corners Eriksen took last year) that don't beat the first man.

The issue isn't with his gameplan or risk/ reward, it's that 2 every 3 corners taken end up being completely wasted. I understand that some of them will be when hitting low, flatter ones but 2 every 3? That's just poor no matter what the reason. For a player or Eriksen's ability I expect far more than just 33% of his corners to beat the first man no matter what the reasoning behind his decision making processes are,

 

[BuckeyeSpurs11]

You come on, I am not desputing these facts, but my gripe is about his crap corner kicks, something which you honestly cannot defend. And for the record, most of us wanted want him to stay, he was the one who wanted leave.

I agree, his corners are below par. He said maybe its time for a new challenge but in the end, if it doesnt develop then why not sign a new deal with Tottenham. He opened the door to leaving but seems happy to stay. People have been turning on him very quickly. He definitely goes missing at times but its the clubs fault for not having a plan B in that role to push him through those times.

 

[thisismyback]

The low flat corner does have a greater chance of resulting in a goal, moreso than the floated one agreed but the floated one has more chance than 66% (2 every 3 corners Eriksen took last year) that don't beat the first man.

The issue isn't with his gameplan or risk/ reward, it's that 2 every 3 corners taken end up being completely wasted. I understand that some of them will be when hitting low, flatter ones but 2 every 3? That's just poor no matter what the reason. For a player or Eriksen's ability I expect far more than just 33% of his corners to beat the first man no matter what the reasoning behind his decision making processes are,

Has anyone seen data on the best low flat corner takers? Curious where Eriksen stacks up. Or even how many low flat corners actually beat the first man in general? Would be interesting.

A season or two ago I saw a report that only 3% of corner kicks result in a goal. That's staggering.

 

[lukadownthelane]

Glad I read up on this thread after today’s ITK. Really enjoyed reading through 20000 posts about corners!

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

Just come back from the kitchen placing my testicles in the mouth of my dog. Turns out the neighbours fucking hate it.

Anyways, do we like him a bit more now he might be staying? Has anyone discussed the relative value of his set pieces. Did some wag make a joke about his hair piece? Has Ronwol initiated his glorious uprising yet?

 

[Lilbaz]

Glad I read up on this thread after today’s ITK. Really enjoyed reading through 20000 posts about corners!

Welcome to the circle.

 

[Gareth88]

The most annoying thing about our inept corners is we have some lethal aerial threats and consistently fail to find them due to poor delivery.

Im almost bald from pulling my hair out over this exact reason

 

[spurs mental]

The most annoying thing about our inept corners is we have some lethal aerial threats and consistently fail to find them due to poor delivery.

I miss the near post header that we did so well from in Poch's first season

 

[WiganSpur]

The concerns about Eriksen were valid, but a key point now is that if he stays he will be a better Eriksen.

A. because he would have shown commitment by signing a new contract that brings his focus and motivations back to Spurs and B. because we have signed Ndombele and could very well sign more players alongside him that should allow us to manage his games, freshness and form.